Category: Uncategorized

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
My judicial experience includes employment as a Staff Attorney for Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals from 1988-1990. I have been married to one of the two Common Pleas Court Judges in our county for 33 years. She took the bench in 1999, and if elected, we would certainly be the first wife/husband tandem to serve in our county, and possibly, the State.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
My non-judicial legal experience started in 1986. As a student at Akron University’s School of Law, I received a “legal intern certificate” allowing me to work and argue in courtrooms, without a law degree. I represented the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority in Akron Municipal Court for evictions. In 1987, I used that same certificate at the Stark County Public Defender’s Office representing clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies. After I passed the bar exam that same year, I joined the Public Defender’s Office as a Staff Attorney. I was assigned to Juvenile and Municipal Courts in Canton and Massillon, Ohio until moving to felony court. I stayed there until late 1988 when I was offered a job to work as a Staff Attorney at Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals.

Working for the Appellate Court was akin to returning back to law school. My new, but familiar, home was the law library. When I wasn’t researching case law, I was was watching oral arguments by lawyers arguing their appeals to the court. I worked for all five of the Appellate Court Judges, but reported to one specifically, John R. Milligan. After the lawyers completed oral argument before the Court, the three judges on the panel that day would retire to an office, with staff attorneys present, and vote as to how the case should be decided after discussion. Each staff attorney had a different role for their respective assigned judge. My judge charged me with the duty of briefing cases prior to argument, and then providing him with a case memorandum post argument including issues raised in discussion. The variety of issues before court was endless and challenging.

In 1990, I started my own practice. I took criminal cases both by private hire and appointment. I took juvenile appointments and started doing Bankruptcy filings. In 1992, while maintaining my own law firm, I moonlighted for a workers compensation lawyer and found a home in disability law. All along, I continued to take cases to trial and argued before juries, appellate courts, federal courts, and on two occasions before the Ohio Supreme Court.

I have been President of the Tuscarawas County Bar Association. I have taught business law as an adjunct Professor at Kent State, Tuscarawas campus. I have had jury trials in four different cities and represented 4,500 clients.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
In 1990, after my term expired as staff counsel with the Court Of Appeals, I hung my shingle to enter the realm of private practice. Buoyed by the prospect of being mentored and groomed by six seasoned attorneys, I entered into an office sharing agreement with veteran counsel. My office-mates referred work to me, and I took criminal and juvenile appointments for two years in hopes I could pay office rent. My wife and I did not have any children at the time, so the idea of creating a practice from scratch was invigorating and exciting.

Since 1990, my practice has grown substantially. In the twenty-nine years following that shingle, I have represented 4,500 clients in forums ranging from the Ohio Court Of Claims to the Ohio Supreme Court. I’ve tried jury trials in Cincinnati, Canton, Akron, and New Philadelphia, Ohio. I have appeared in four separate Courts Of Appeals. I have an active Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability practice.

I feel I have built a successful practice, and there is a lineal correlation between it and why I am running for this seat. In my practice, zealous advocacy is always coupled with client respect and candor. Information is conveyed in a timely manner, mindful of the importance legal matters have in the lives of my clients. Justice, and decisions dispensing that justice, should also be swift and respectful. Moreover, if incarceration is necessary, that too should be dispensed swiftly and without delay.

Interestingly, “creativity” is also part of a judge’s job. More and more, low level felonies are being legislatively stripped of prison time as an option. The legislature tells us there is no room in the prisons, and it is too costly to imprison. Hence, like my wife has employed, I want to establish my own specialized docket “Drug Court” as a method to address this issue.

Demeanor and experience are important. They provide the basis for judicial decision making. The decisions a judge renders affect the parties, their families, and the community. I have experience with both courts and people. This experience translates into what I want from the judges I see in my day to day practice. Paraphrasing Gandhi, I want to be the change I crave from others. The prospect of implementing that change is what fuels my desire to run for Common Pleas Court Judge.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
NA

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
After 25 years of practice, I have broad experience in a wide variety of areas in state and federal courts in Ohio and elsewhere. While the focus of my practice has been representing working people and professionals in labor and employment matters and consumers in class actions, I have also handled many cases in other areas, including major criminal trials, real estate disputes, probate litigation, bankruptcy litigation and toxic tort litigation. I believe this breadth of experience and genuine concern for the protection of individual rights makes me well suited to serve as a Common Pleas judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I believe it is time for change at the Hamilton County Courthouse. For far too long the Common Pleas bench has been dominated by a partisan process that places former prosecutors on the bench who, in many cases, run unopposed for term after term. I believe the result is a judiciary that is out of touch with the diverse populations that encounter the judicial system regularly and an erosion of public perception of the Court as fair and impartial, particularly in communities of color. I would like to help restore confidence in the Court by bringing my diverse experience and dedication to the protection of individual rights to the bench.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
In 1989, I was elected to the Hamilton County Municipal Court “The People’s Court.” My Municipal Court judgeship extended seven years prior to being elected to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. In 1996, I was elected to the Court of Common Pleas and have been re-elected three consecutive terms: 2002, 2008 and 2014. In my 23 years of serving on the Common Pleas Court, I have had the privilege of leading this Court twice as its Presiding Judge. In addition, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Moyer appointed me to serve as a member of the Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness in the Courts.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
As an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney for over 11 years, I tackled cases spanning the gamut of criminal prosecution from Driving Under the Influence to homicide case through the Juvenile, Municipal and Common Pleas Court divisions. I have also served as a Lecturer at both the University of Cincinnati and the College of Mount St. Joseph teaching “Business Law” courses.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am proud to have served the people of Hamilton County for over 30 years as judge. I truly care about what happens to the people who come before me in court. I constantly strive to bring to the bench a balanced perspective of not only addressing the concerns of victims but also making appropriate decisions regarding criminal offenders.

I realize that a case doesn’t always end with my making a decision. As well as confinement, I make it my business to become involved in the issues of rehabilitation. I seek out and assess recommendations and evaluate mental health and treatment options. I also utilize outside agencies that are available to the Court as much or more than any judge on this bench. I am always aware that cases must be resolved in a timely manner. This cannot always be accomplished unless time is given them.

To all civil litigants, I routinely make mediation available which gives civil parties the opportunity to discuss their issues, clear up misunderstandings, and find areas of common ground in a way that would never be possible in a full court litigation. Everyday, I strive to bring honor to this great office to which I have been trusted and to treat all people with dignity and respect.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Lucas County Common Pleas Court – 9 years

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
While serving my country I earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wright State University Dayton, Ohio and went onto receive a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. In 2018 I received a L.L.M. in judicial studies from Duke University School of Law and I attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2014. Also I serve as an adjunct lecturer in law at the University of Toledo College of Law where I teach trial practice.

Prior to judicial service, I clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Penn and was in private practice for many years in the areas of business litigation, criminal law and personal injury. Throughout my legal career, I have litigated a number of high profile criminal cases all over northwest Ohio and was one of a select cadre of attorneys certified by the State of Ohio to handle death penalty cases. I have been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As a member of our armed forces, I have served this country with distinction. As an attorney I have worked tirelessly to protect the rights afforded to citizens both rich and poor. As a volunteer I unselfishly devoted my time and talent to a wide variety of causes. As a judge on the 6th District Court of Appeals I will uphold the rule of law.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
N/A

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
For most of my 20-year legal career, I have served as a Prosecutor. I began my career as an Assistant County Prosecutor in Cuyahoga County quickly rising to the position of Major Trial Prosecutor. I have also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and as a Managing Attorney and Special Prosecutor for the Ohio Attorney General.

I have prosecuted a wide range of crimes in Ohio, including, capital murder, aggravated murder, sexual assault, criminal gang activity, RICO, public corruption, charity fraud, gambling, and mortgage fraud. I prosecuted cases on behalf of the government in eleven Ohio counties and the Northern and Southern District of Ohio. I successfully tried two drug conspiracy cases in Federal Court. I worked with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio (Federal, State and Local). I have tried 97 cases with 52 jury trials. I tried the first serious youthful offender case in Cuyahoga County. Through a nuisance abatement action, I shut down the last pill mill in Scioto County. Before Judge Nadine Allen, I shut down a bar in Evanston in another nuisance abatement action and the voters upheld the verdict by voting to permanently ban the property from having a liquor license. I convicted an Ohio Assistant Prosecutor for adding criminal charges onto an indictment without the vote of a Grand Jury. I investigated and prosecuted two Catholic Universities for failing to report campus sex assaults to law enforcement. I prosecuted a sitting Ohio judge for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. I made numerous appearances on behalf of the University of Cincinnati. I conducted several enforcement hearings on behalf of Ohio State Racing Commission.

I am currently the Chief of Compliance for Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, Aftab Pureval. In my role on the Senior Management Team, I advise Clerk on all legal issues and monitor changes to statutes, Rules of Superintendence and Procedure, and case law for its impact to the Clerk’s office. I monitor the legal services provided by counsel and supervise the Municipal Court Bailiff Division.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I served as a Law Clerk and later as a Staff Attorney for Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Ann Marie Tracey early in my career. I saw firsthand the importance of the trial court and the impact it has on people’s lives. I have spent my career traveling through Ohio in larger urban counties to smaller rural counties and have seen firsthand that our justice system can and should be improved. I am running for Judge on the Common Pleas Court to make our judicial system fairer and more equitable. It would be a great honor to serve Hamilton County, the place I have called home since I was 8 years old and where my wife and I chose to raise our three children.

I have traveled and litigated across Ohio, in State and Federal Courts, in my almost 20 years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Cuyahoga County, Assistant Ohio Attorney General and now Chief Compliance Officer of the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts – and will use all I have learned in my career to build a better courthouse, strengthen the legal community and improve the legal system.

The fact is, the judiciary should serve as an independent voice. The judiciary should be the product of a profession that rights wrongs and seeks justice. And, the judiciary should serve as a check on government excess, a check on the powerful, and protect the rights of minorities. It is my promise to do so. Hamilton County deserves the best judiciary to confront the perplexing issues of today and the problems of the future with equality, resolve, and compassion.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
N/A

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I will bring a new outlook and sensible approach to the 11th District Court of Appeals. I am a practicing attorney who has served my community for over 22 years as both an assistant prosecutor and as defense counsel. I have been appointed by the court to represent indigent clients as well as being privately retained counsel in my practice, Kovoor Law, LLC. I have represented clients in courts throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois ranging from Municipal, Family, State, Federal and Appellate Courts. I have litigated thousands of cases in criminal, civil and domestic court and tried more than 40 cases to a verdict. I have a diverse practice and I have represented people from many different cultures, with varied viewpoints and needs.

As such, I am adept at evaluating both sides of an issue. I have successfully fought for many people’s civil rights when government entities over-reached and violated them and in two particular cases, White v. Bukowski, et al., No. 14-3185 (7th Cir. 2015) and Rafferty et al. v. Trumbull Cty, et al, No. 17-4223 (6th Cir. 2019), I won landmark decisions.

My years of experience in the areas of criminal, family and civil rights and appellate law make me uniquely qualified to be a Judge on the 11th District Court of Appeals. On the bench, I will ensure that all parties are heard, that both sides of the issues presented are carefully considered, and the law is consistently applied as written. I will safeguard fairness and justice to the residents of the Eleventh District.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for the 11th District Court of Appeals because I have called Northeast Ohio my home for over 30 years. It is the area where I have practiced law and raised a family. During this time, I have advocated in court for the State and for my clients, both retained and appointed. Through this lifetime of experience, I have had the opportunity to see the good that a Judge can do, both in the courtroom and as a member of the community. When in the courtroom, I will ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to have their appeal heard in a fair and unbiased setting, influenced only by the letter of the law and the evidence presented. As a member of the community, Judges have the opportunity to engage with the public as non-partisan advocates for understanding not only the State Constitution but the American Legal System as a whole. As an immigrant, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to grow up with the protections afforded by the American Legal System and this experience lead me to pursue a career dedicated to these practices and traditions.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Some of our best appellate court judges in the Twelfth District — Robin Piper and Rachel Hutzel come immediately to mind — did not have judicial experience prior to being elected to the bench. Like Judges Piper and Hutzel, my experience is that of an attorney in the county prosecutor’s office handling a wide variety of maters in lower courts, the Twelfth District, and Supreme Court of Ohio. I also have significant experience in the federal courts, state and federal administrative agencies, and negotiations/mediations.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
A love of reading, writing and editing is essential to success as an appellate judge. Unlike judges of other courts, an appellate judge reads briefs and hears arguments on a panel of other judges before crafting a written opinion. Overwhelmingly the most important work of an appellate judge is the writing of clear, well-reasoned, consistent opinions. Attorneys must be able to understand the Court’s interpretations of statutes to be able to render good counsel to their clients, predicting how the Court is likely to rule on matters of interest to the client. My academic and professional love is writing. I am unabashed in my love of being an attorney. I think that few attorneys have the satisfaction in the profession that I have.

I am a life-long resident of the Twelfth District and have been active in the religious, social, political, civic life of the community. My work as an attorney, as a mother, as a wife, as a community member demonstrates a sustained commitment to the place where I was raised and, as an adult, where I have chosen to build a home. I am pleased to enjoy the support of many clients, fellow attorneys (even opposing counsel!), and judges who know the importance of collegiality, professionalism, integrity, impartiality, work ethic. Judicial independence and impartiality, actual and the appearance of, is enormously important to me. I have chosen not to seek any endorsement other than that of the Republican party. I respect the place of special interest groups in our political system, however, I will not accept any contribution from political action committees.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As an attorney in Civil Division of the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office for twenty (25) years, I have had the advantage of being mentored by tremendously talented civil and criminal division colleagues. This is an unusual background; most attorneys specialize in a particular area of the law. The mentoring of my senior colleagues undoubtedly smoothed my path, permitting me to begin with less complicated matters as a new attorney to becoming entrusted with increasingly complicated and important cases. I have far more experience and demonstrated competence trying cases as an attorney in the Twelfth District Court of Appeals than my opponents (19 cases). My most recent case before the Court was a few months ago, an elections matter in which my client was victorious. The most recent case in the Twelfth District Court of Appeals of any of my opponents was 2009. One opponent has only appeared in the Twelfth District Court of Appeals only once. The diversity of my practice differs from my opponents. The cases in which I have appeared in the Twelfth District include construction cases, personal injury, property, mental illness, neglect/abuse of children, elections. I also have significantly more experience in the lower courts (juvenile, domestic relations, probate, common pleas) having hundreds if not thousand cases in my 25 year career.

THIS Court is the Court in which I want to preside as a judge. This position is neither a consolation prize for a gubernatorial appointment that I didn’t get nor a stepping stone to the federal court. The United States is an exceptional country and our exceptionalism would not have been accomplished without our legal system. I will be honored to maintain and advance the exceptional American legal system as a Judge on the Twelfth District Court of Appeals.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Administrative and Presiding Judge, South Euclid Municipal Court (2012 – Present) Preside over bench and jury trials as well as various hearings including arraignment, pre-trial, bond, violation/revocation and motion hearings. Conduct proceedings related to small claims, taxes, traffic and criminal offenses, housing violations and evictions. Conduct bond, protection order and preliminary hearings for felony defendants. Review and authorize search warrants as requested by various police and law enforcement agencies. Research and write legal opinions in response to motions and hearings presented to the court. Actively communicate, work, and engage other governmental officials and offices regarding changes and updates to the law while identifying their intersection with the functionality of the court. Engage opposing counsel and pro se litigants in pretrial conferences. Prepare and present the annual court budget to the local funding authority to ensure resources for the fair administration of justice. Attend local and national conferences as both a participant and instructor to obtain and provide instruction on changes in the law. Attend community events and distribute court newsletters to educate the general public about the role of the court. Oversee the daily functionality of the court processes and staff, ensuring appropriate staffing levels and proper training availability for all team members. Respond to all grievances from staff, litigants and/or court visitors. Appoint jury commissioners to ensure fulfillment of jury demands and access in litigation. Appoint assigned counsel to indigent defendants in criminal matters. Establish programming including but not limited to the only Specialized Mental Health docket in Cuyahoga county’s suburban courts as well as the only Night Court in the county, which serves to provide enhanced access to justice for parties.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been appointed to serve as the only Judicial Fellow for the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. In this capacity, I teach both seated and web-based courses on various topics to judges throughout the United States. I also research and write articles for publication in coordination with my counterparts from the American Bar Association on specialized subject matters. This is particularly important for the Court of Appeals as this is a scholarly court which requires an intense amount of research, writing and attention to detail. The opinions released by judges must be clearly articulated in a manner that ensures understanding by the reader and ability for those governed by the decision to follow through. This is the role of a teacher or instructor. This is the work I perform regularly with my judicial colleagues in educating them about their current duties as judicial officers and would continue to perform as an Appellate judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
For 90% of all cases presented for review, the Court of Appeals represents the final opportunity to have these matters heard and ultimately adjudicated. Cuyahoga County is the largest county in Ohio, therefore the 90% of cases heard by the 8th District Court of Appeals represents a considerable and impactful amount of cases as compared to other parts of the State. The judges responsible for deciding these cases must possess the depth of knowledge, skill and ability to navigate these often complex and life altering matters.

I am running for this seat because I am the most qualified candidate with the broadest level of experience, knowledge and commitment to the Rule of Law. I would add considerable value to this important bench both well into the future. I have a strong and diverse litigation background as well as experience as an Administrative and Presiding Judge whose responsibilities include the daily oversight of court proceedings and delivery of thoughtful, scholarly opinions. I am conscientious of the important role that this court plays as it interfaces with the trial courts. I would bring to bear my rich experience of having argued before this court, as well as my current responsibilities as a multi-disciplined judge tasked with teaching my colleagues nationwide. This would undoubtedly provide the bench and our legal community the benefit of diversity in perspective as well as being an asset in deciding, shaping and articulating ever changing and emerging issues in the law.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
None

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been running a legal practice for over 20 years. I have a good background and education to be a circuit court judge. I have the legal experience helping people with their legal issues and to understand the law. I know that it is a judges job is to interpret the law and not to make it. I have represented clients before Federal District courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board. I have argued before the US Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit in Washington D.C. All of this experience is well suited for the Court of Appeals.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I want to serve my community and state. I will make sure that I will interpret the law fairly, with justice and the American way in mind. When I served on Johnstown City Council I always tried to make decisions for the public that I could sleep with. If elected I will make sure to do the same as a Judge. I believe that this court seat matches my experience and skill set well as well as matching my desire to give back.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge-Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals: 1991-present Judge-Canton Municipal Court: 1988-1990 (sat by special assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court on several occasions)

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to taking the bench, I served as a prosecuting attorney in the Canton Law Department for 11 years. I also maintained a private law practice for 11 years. I was a legal intern in the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile Division, while in law school.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As an appellate court judge, I have timely and efficiently written thousands of opinions and participated in over 10,000 decisions for the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals. I have consistently received high evaluations of my judicial performance from my local lawyers’ bar association. I presently serve as the presiding judge of my court. I have been privileged to sit by special assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court on several occasions.

If re-elected, I intend to continue to ensure all cases coming before me are timely and impartially decided for the approximately 1.4 million people living within the court’s 15 county district.